FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25802, 24 March 1945, Page 2

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

DESSERT APPLES WANTED TOMATO PRICES FIRMER Heavy supplies of cooking apples have been available during the week, but dessert varieties have been practically unobtainable, and auctioneers have had a difficult time endeavouring to satisfy customers. The market again showed a drop, and it seems that the law of supply and demand has been entirely overlooked when prices are being altered. With a shortage of dessert apples following upon a drop in price, the position has been made much worse than formerly, and fruit merchants and retailers are beginning to feel that Dunedin is being unfairly treated in the matter of supplies of dessert apples. Gravensteins are finished for the season, the quantity which reached the Dunedin market this year being only a fraction of that received in other years. The same position now applies to Cox’s Orange, and the season will be over before long with only small quantities of this variety having reached this market. The quality of the dessert apples available so far is also disappointing, the bulk of the offerings being minimum and commercial grades. Pears have been in better supply, although the market could do with largei quantites. The tomato market is a little firmer on last week’s rates. Many lines are reaching the market on the green side, and the inquiry is confined to well-coloured lines. Extra choice quality are realising ceiling prices, and other grades are being sold according to quality. The market is firm in other centres, and it is not anticipated that prices will become any lower. If anything, a firming tendency may be expected. Odd lines of nectarines are still offering, and peaches are not so plentiful, most lines again realising ceiling prices. Plums are also in shorter supply, dessert lines being sold at ceiling rates. Jam grade are being disposed of at lower prices. " The market for grapes has been erratic, with prices fluctuating dally according to the supplies on hand. .. No lemons came to hand during the week, and supplies are wanted. Passion-fruit are in better supply. A few quinces arc now offering, and supplies should increase from now on, although the crop is reported to be light. There is no word of further shipments of bananas, but retailers arc still holding supplies from the previous shipment Raspberries arc still on offer, and blackberries are now coming forward. The Vegetable Market.. Choice quality cauliflowers are in better demand. Savoy cabbages are short of requirements, but drumheads are in good supply. Green peas and French beans are commanding attention, and prices are high. Cucumbers are in good supply, but marrows are a glut on the market and prices are very low. Choice quality lettuces are realising high prices, but other grades are selling at fairly low values. Carrots are in steady supply, but parsnips are practically unobtainable. Potatoes are not so plentiful, and Government fixed prices are being obtained for f.a.q. lines. Wholesale Prices Wholesale prices are as follows: — Apples: Cox’s Orange, 5s 6d to 9s 9d per case; Jonathans, 4s to 7s 6d per case; other dessert, 4s 6d to 7s 6d per case; Dunn’s, 3s 6d to 5s 9d per case; other cookers, 4s to 7s per case (all cases 6d eX pears: 13s 6d to 14s 6d per bushel case (5d extra for cases). Nectarines: Choice, 8s to 12s per case, travs. Gs to 9s 6d. Plums: Choice, Gs to 9s 8d per case, travs to 5s 8d; jam, 5s to 6s per case. Reaches: Choice, to 9s 8d per case; others, 5s to 7s per case; trays to 5s Bd. Raspberries, to 13s 6d per bucket. Lemons, 19s per case (town), 18s 3d per case (country). Bananas, sold out. Tomatoes: Extra choice, to 8d per lb. choice, 4d to 6d per lb; others, 2d to 3d peas, 8d to Is per lb. _? r ? beans; 2d to 3d per lb. Lettuces: Choice, to 4s per dozen; others, Is per dozen. Cauliflowers: Choice, 5s to 9s per sack. Cabbages* Savoy, 4s 6d to 7s 6d per sack, drumhead. 2s to 2s fid per bag. Rhubarb Id to lid per lb. Cucumbers, 4s to 8s per dozen; outside grown, 4s to 5s per case. Spring onions, Is to 2s per _ hunches. Marrows, 5s to 6s per cwt. Potatoes. £8 to £lO per ton. Pumpkins, Id per lb. Onions, £l7 per cwt.